Celebracje Mszy świętych w wielkich zgromadzeniach

Abstract

The article touches upon the issue of celebrating Holy Mass in large gatherings of worshippers, which traditionally serve to be a concelebration of the Eucharist at the same time. It draws readers’ attention to the necessity of sustaining the general norms of the celebration of the Holy Mass as presented within the General introduction to the Roman Missal and the relevant instructions issued by the Apostolic See, in particular the Redemptionis Sacramentum Instruction. Further on, it refers to the recommendations of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which are directly related to the preparation of the liturgy of the Holy Mass in large gatherings of worshippers. These are mainly concerned with the place of celebration (hall, stadium), the preparation of the place for the main celebrant, concelebrating priests and ministers, the altar and the pulpit (presbytery), the vestments and liturgical vessels, the appropriate sound system and the possibility of granting the Holy Communion. The Celebration itself should not bear resemblance to a spectacular show; nor should it be reminiscent of any other gatherings, even of specifically religious character, let alone the lay ones.